Comeback King cut for gold repeat

Kicking King has breathed new life into the Cheltenham Gold Cup market with his sparkling return to action at Gowran Park following a 759-day layoff.

Trainer Tom Taaffe proclaimed “I think we’re back” after his pride and joy finished a close second to crack two-miler Nickname in the Normans Grove Chase, and the bookmakers have taken a similar view.

Gold Cup sponsors totesport go 16-1 from 25s about the 2005 hero, with spokesman Paul Petrie saying: “Hopefully he will be come out of the race in good shape and perhaps the first three home this year isn’t as predictable as we thought.”

Ridden by his usual partner Barry Geraghty, Kicking King set only a steady pace in front in the heavy ground.

And surprisingly, the first of the three to send out distress signals was 1-4 favourite Nickname, with Ruby Walsh riding for all his worth three fences from home.

Two out, all three were nearly in a line but Kicking King guessed at the fence and Geraghty did well to keep the partnership intact.

After the last, Nickname finally found his stride, swooping past Newmill, and agonisingly, also past Kicking King to win by one and a quarter lengths.

A delighted Taaffe said: “The mistake at the second-last was probably costly, but it was all about match practice and getting the rustiness out of him and we achieved all that.

“For me the most pleasing thing was after his mistake he got his momentum back and galloped all the way to the line, it takes a hell of a horse to do that and I think we’re back.

“When you bring one back after that length (of time) it is a journey of a 1,000 miles and it begins with one step.

“He might come back here for the Red Mills in three weeks – the Hennessy is in 17 days but that might be on the tight side. After the Red Mills it is four and a half weeks to the Gold Cup, which is fine.”

Martin Brassil suggested Nickname will step up in trip, with the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 10 being his next target.

Thomas O’Leary landed the biggest success of his training career when Preists Leap outstayed his rivals to win the prestigious Ellen Construction Thyestes Chase.

Newbay Prop appeared to be travelling best turning into the straight in his attempt to give Tony Martin another big win, but a penalty picked up for his last win took its toll and he could only finish third.

The 20-1 winner dug deep and went on to beat Black Apalachi by four and a half lengths, with Newbay Prop third and Point Barrow running a fine race in fourth.

“It’s one of Ireland’s greatest races and I’m delighted to win it,” said O’Leary.

“The ground is barely raceable and he loves that and I’m sure he’ll win another big handicap.”

Walsh’s day had started inauspiciously when he finished second on Dani California in the four-year-old hurdle and Alexander Taipan fell in the Grade Three Galmoy Hurdle.

But he drove home Splurge (2-1) for John Coleman in the S & N Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle and sat motionless as J’Y Vole (5-4) emerged as a real Cheltenham contender after her stroll in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

The victory of the latter would have especially pleased the winning trainer Willie Mullins who only a few hours earlier had to break the news that arguably the best horse in his yard, Glencove Marina, was to miss the rest of the season.

The five-year-old was cut to 16-1 from 33s by Cashmans for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

“The Dr PJ Moriarty on Hennessy Day will be the next stop,” said Mullins. “She jumps very well and she ran a smashing race to be fifth in the Triumph Hurdle, so I would be happy with her action that she would go on good ground.”

Mullins was also on the mark in the bumper, sponsored by Waterford People Newspaper, with Drive On Regardles, another possible for Cheltenham.

Michael Bowe’s amazing pair of Sweet Kiln and Earth Magic dominated the Alo Duffin Galmoy Hurdle but did not finish in the order the trainer thought.

Stable jockey Tom Doyle was on the mare Sweet Kiln, the 13-8 favourite, and she appeared to be going the better at the second-last but after Kazal dropped away, leaving the stable companions to fight out the finish, she could not get past her half-brother.